Page 48 - FoodFocusThailand No.158 May 2019

STRATEGIC R & DD
STRATEGIC R &

Cilantro is a herb that is related to parsley. It is a tasty addition
to soups and other dishes, and the nutrients it contains may
offer a range of health benefits. Like many fruits and vegetables,
cilantro is a good source of antioxidants. Using cilantro to flavor
food can also help to cut down on sodium intake.

Health Benefits & Risk of

Cilantro

Cilantro is an annual herb from the family Apiaceae, which contains unpleasant side effects. For this reason, there is interest in developing
3,700 species including carrots, celery, and parsley. All parts of the plant compounds based on natural ingredients that can fight fungal
are edible, but the fresh leaves and dried seeds are most commonly used infections. A study, published in PLOS One, tested coriander-based
in cooking. Often known in the United Kingdom as coriander, cilantro essential oil against Candida albicans. The authors conclude that the
comes from the plant Coriandrum sativum. In the United States, the oil, produced from coriander leaves, does indeed have an antifungal
leaves of the plant are known as cilantro (the Spanish translation) and property and recommend further studies.
the seeds are called coriander. Cilantro is also commonly known as • Natural Preservative Due to its high antioxidant content, oil
Chinese parsley. extracted from the leaves of cilantro has been shown to inhibit
unwanted oxidation when added to other foods, delaying or preventing
Benefits spoilage. A compound found in the leaves and seeds of cilantro -
Consuming plant-based foods of all kinds is associated with a reduced dodecanal - has also been found to have an antibacterial effect against
risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Some studies suggest Salmonella. In laboratory tests, dodecanal was twice as efficient at
that increasing consumption of plant foods like cilantro may decrease killing Salmonella than the commonly used medicinal antibiotic
the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease while promoting healthy gentamicin.
skin and hair, increased energy, and overall lower weight. • Lead Detoxification Cilantro has been found to suppress lead
• Anticancer Effects A study, reported in the American Journal of accumulation in rats, which gives promise for the use of cilantro to
Clinical Nutrition, suggests that some spices, including coriander, can combat lead and other heavy metal toxicity. Because of its ability to
prevent heterocyclic amine (HCA) from forming in meats during cooking. chelate (bond chemicals together), cilantro is also being studied as
The National Cancer Institute defines HCAs as chemicals formed a natural water purifier. The antimicrobial and heavy metal chelation
when meat is cooked at high temperatures. A high consumption of foods factors of cilantro have led to its recent use in many "detoxification"
containing HCAs is associated with a higher risk of cancer. A study juices and drinks.
published in the Journal of Food Science looked at the use of five Asian
spices, including Coriandrum sativum (C. sativum), or coriander, in Risks
cooking meats. In the meats cooked with those spices, the formation of Salmonella is a potential health risk when consuming coriander. In a
HCAs was significantly lower. study of more than 20,000 food shipments, the United States Food
• Pain and Inflammation There is a growing body of evidence that and Drug Administration (FDA) found that 15 percent of coriander
coriander may one day be useful as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory imports were contaminated with Salmonella. More than 80 percent
drug. A study that investigated the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the U.S. spice supply is imported. The testing for Salmonella was
of extracts of coriander seeds on inflammation and pain in mice concluded: conducted at the time of import. At a retail level, the risk is less likely,
The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. sativum seeds demonstrated particularly with large, more reputable spice companies. Heating food
significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further to 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria, including
evaluation is required for analysis of phytochemical constituents involved Salmonella. However, in 2015, the FDA published a recall of a brand
in these activities. of coriander spice that had the potential to contain Salmonella.
A similar study, published in 2015, investigated the analgesic Coriander may be an allergen, and because it is often used in
properties of coriander in mice. They also found an analgesic effect combination with spices, it is hard to detect. According to dietitian
associated with coriander extracts. Sherry Coleman Collins, "Coriander is in the family of spices that
• Carotenoids As antioxidants, dietary carotenoids can decrease the includes caraway, fennel, and celery, all of which have been implicated
risk of numerous conditions, including several cancers and eye disease. in allergic reactions in recent years." People who tend to be sensitive
A study published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition showed that basil to allergens should be aware of this when using coriander.
and coriander contained the highest levels of the carotenoids beta- It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important
carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, all in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a
known for their antioxidant properties. diet with variety than to concentrate on individual foods as the key
• Antifungal Properties Although there are a number of treatments to good health.
for fungal infections, such oral candidiasis (thrush), they often cause
เอกสารอ้างอิง/Reference
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277627.php
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